Kostrzewa - Economy gaining traction in NE, except in RI

Wednesday

There were 7,200 jobs created in New England in May - a sign that the fragile recovery is gaining traction in some states.

There were 7,200 jobs created in New England in May - a sign that the fragile recovery is gaining traction in some states.

But job creation varied widely by state. In fact, Vermont lost 2,000 jobs, and Rhode Island gave up 200 jobs. Massachusetts was the jobs leader, gaining 3,500 jobs followed by New Hampshire with a gain of 2,500.

Rhode Island's 8.9 percent unemployment rate in May was more than two points above the other states in New England, which averaged 6.9 percent.

A new forecast by TD Economics showed Rhode Island will lag the rest of the region for all of 2013 with an average unemployment rate of 8.6 percent.